System for racking billiard balls

ABSTRACT

A system for racking billiard balls of a given diameter on a playing surface, the system comprises a billiard ball gauge, a pro-rack and recreational-rack. The pro-rack and the recreational-rack each include a frame having an interior opening with an internal periphery. The internal periphery has segmented circular portions. Each rack is a top racking rack used to position and hold billiard balls in close contact when the rack rests upon the top of the balls. The billiard ball gauge determines which rack is best for the given size of the balls.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/021,296, filed Jul. 7, 2014 entitled “TopCentered Billiard Ball Racking Device”, which is herein incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The patent application generally relates to the field of billiard ballracking devices. More specifically, it relates to a system fortop-centering billiard balls and the devices needed to perform suchracking.

BACKGROUND

In billiards it is widely accepted that the billiard balls in a rackshould be grouped as tightly as possible to enable the energytransmitted from the cue ball to be evenly and quickly transmitted toall balls in the rack thus giving a more consistent and explosivebreaking of the balls. A perfect rack has all balls touching at theircontact points.

In its simplest form, players load the balls into an oversizedequilateral triangle rack and use their fingers to tighten the ballstowards the foot spot corner of rack. The rack is then positioned withthe lead ball centered over the foot spot on the billiard table. Whenthe triangular rack is removed, the balls are ready for breaking.

This process often produces inconsistent results due to varying pressurefrom players' fingers and the difficulty of removing the rack withoutdisturbing the balls. In addition, several other factors can cause atight rack to loosen once the triangular rack is removed. Dirt or chalkon the balls or table, variations in roundness of ball (over 0.005inches), variations in ball-to ball diameter (0.005-0.030 inches),variations from micro patterns in the felt covering the table caused byrepeated use of the same rack pattern, wear in the head spot, anddamaged areas in the felt can all cause spaces to open up.

When a player sees that balls in the rack are not tight, they willusually move the triangular rack back and forth over the table whilekeeping the balls tight with their fingers to try to remove the problem.If this does not work the player will start over and re-rack the balls.

Numerous patents exist that are designed to help tighten the ballswithin a rack or to make it easier to remove the rack without disturbingthe position of the balls. However, none of these patents deal with theissues relating to the condition of the table and/or the balls which arefound once the rack is removed. And since many of these spaces are smalland hard to see, it is not unusual for there to be spaces between theballs after racking with any of the patented racking devices.

There are two new approaches that add either a thin layer of tape orspots to the billiard table surface. These are effective but have thedisadvantage of possible interference with play or damage to the tablesurface. Patents have not yet been found to support these devices,although one of them is labeled Patent Pending.

The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to identifyball-to-ball diameter variability along with other parameters thatcreate small spaces between the balls and to provide a consistent wayfor dealing with them.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a systemfor racking billiard balls of a given diameter on a playing surface. Thesystem comprises a billiard ball gauge that includes a pro opening and arecreational opening, the pro opening is sized with a circular diameterof 2.240+/−0.002 inches and the recreational opening is sized with acircular diameter of 2.220+/−0.002 inches. The billiard ball gauge canbe used to separate billiard balls into a first grouping that meets prostandards (tight tolerances) and second grouping that meets recreationalstandards (not so tight tolerances). Knowing this information, the bestrack for the given ball distribution can be used with that grouping ofballs.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to asystem for racking billiard balls of a given diameter on a playingsurface. The system comprises a pro-rack that can easily accommodatebilliard balls that have variations of less than +/−0.005-inches fromthe nominal diameter set by what Billiard Congress of America. Thepro-rack includes a pro flat frame having a pro outer periphery and apro interior opening. The pro interior opening defines a pro interiorperiphery of generally equilateral triangular shape. The pro interiorhas twelve pro segmented circular portions to hold fifteen billiardballs in intimate contact. Each pro segmented portion has a pro segmentdiameter less than the diameter of each billiard ball so that thepro-rack rests upon and aligns the balls from the top.

In still another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to asystem for racking billiard balls of a given diameter on a playingsurface. The system comprises a recreational-rack that can accommodatebilliard balls that have diameter variations of 0.005-0.030 inches. Therecreational-rack includes a recreational frame having a recreationalouter periphery and a recreational interior opening. The recreationalopening defines a recreational interior periphery of generallytriangular shape with three recreational interior sides coming togetherto form three recreational interior angles. The recreational interiorperiphery has one recreational segmented circular portion in each of thethree recreational interior angles. Two of the recreational interiorsides are reduced length sides having a length less than the lastremaining side. The last remaining side has three additionalrecreational segmented circular portions so that the recreational-rackas a whole can hold fifteen billiard balls in intimate contact with eachrecreational segmented portion circular portion. The recreationalsegment diameters are less than the diameter of each billiard ball sothat the recreational-rack rests upon and aligns the balls from the top.

In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to asystem for racking billiard balls of a given diameter on a playingsurface. The system comprises a 9-ball rack having a 9-ball frame withand a 9-ball outer periphery and a 9-ball interior opening. The 9-ballinterior opening defines a 9-ball interior periphery of generallydiamond shape. The 9-ball interior periphery has eight 9-ball segmentedcircular portions to hold nine billiard balls in intimate contact. The9-ball segmented portions have a 9-ball diameter less than the diameterof each billiard ball so that the 9-ball rack rests upon and aligns theball from the top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a rack used inconjunction with the system for racking billiard balls;

FIG. 2 is side sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of the system for rackingbilliard balls using a pro-rack version of the rack in FIG. 1 along witha recreational-rack and a billiard ball gauge;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of the system for rackingbilliard balls using a pro-rack and recreational-rack version of therack in FIG. 1, along with a billiard ball gauge;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the billiard ball gauge shown in FIGS. 3and 4;

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of the pro-rack shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is an expanded view of the recreational-rack shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of how various components of the systemfor racking balls shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used;

FIG. 9 a is a plan view of a billiard table illustrating a first step inusing a rack associated with the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 9 b is a plan view of a billiard table illustrating a second stepin using a rack associated with the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 9 c is a plan view of a billiard table illustrating a third step inusing a rack associated with the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 9 d is a plan view of a billiard table illustrating a fourth stepin using a rack associated with the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 9 e is a plan view of a billiard table illustrating a fifth step inusing a rack associated with the system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of a 9-ball rack used inconjunction with the system for racking billiard balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order for billiard balls to all touch in perfect pattern, they allneed to be of nearly identical diameter and have only small variationsin diameter within any one ball. Professional billiard balls arenominally 2.250-inches in diameter with tolerances of +/−0.005 inches.It is very expensive to manufacture billiard balls to such hightolerances. Over time even billiard balls manufactured to hightolerances can wear and change shape. Cheaper recreational gradebilliard balls can from the start have large variations in ball-to-balldiameter and within-ball variations in diameter. It has been found thattight tolerance balls can be easily grouped by a top racking system ifall of the balls possess tolerances generally less than 0.030-inches.When overall size of the set of balls is decreased they may be stilleasily racked by a top racking system, but either the size or shape ofthe rack needs to be changed to match this smaller diameter distributionof billiard balls. This patent application discloses a top rackingsystem that allows the players to determine the size distribution of thebilliard balls and match one of a couple rack options to the billiardballs the players have available.

System 20 for racking billiard balls 22 (a.k.a. balls) of a givendiameter on a playing surface 23 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. System 20generally comprises one or more racks 24 and may additionally comprise abilliard ball gauge 26. If billiard ball 22 sizes are already knownbecause of the type of balls provided or purchased, the player candirectly use one of the racks 24. If the player is unsure of ball size,the player can use billiard ball gauge 26 shown in FIGS. 3-5 todetermine the size distribution of billiard balls 22 available for play.Using billiard ball gauge 26 the player may categorize or group balls 22into one of three categories depending on ball size: pro balls (sizerange 2.255-2.240 inches), recreational balls (size range 2.255-2.220inches) and balls that should probably be replaced (size range less than2.220-inches). Billiard ball gauge 26 includes a pro opening 28 and arecreational opening 30. Pro opening 28 is sized with a circulardiameter of 2.240-inches +/−0.002. Recreational opening 30 is sized witha circular diameter of 2.220-inches +/−0.002. It is critical thatbilliard ball gauge 26 have these diameter sizes, if the opening's sizesare different then these diameters the system will not work with therest of the components of system 20.

System 20 is a top racking system, that means racks 24 used to positionand hold billiard balls 22 in close contact rests upon the top of theballs, FIGS. 1 and 2. A top racking system offers several advantagesover other racking systems. A top racking system uses the unique shapeof the rack, the weight of rack 24 and/or the combined pressure from theplayer's hands to position balls 22 into contact. The weight of rack 24or pressure from the player's hands can also keep the balls in contactas the racked balls are moved into a breaking position over the tablefoot spot on a playing surface. Open sides of the current rack 24 makeviewing and positioning the rack over the foot spot easier than withother racks that have solid sides used for compressing the billiardballs 22. The top racking system disclosed in this application has racks24 all with interior openings and contact made only with the outer balls22. This open system makes inspection of all contact points betweenballs 22 easy to observe and verify prior to removing rack 24.

Turning to a first detailed embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 5-7, show system 20comprising pro-rack 24 a, recreational-rack 24 b and billiard ball gauge26. Pro-rack 24 a can easily accommodate billiard balls that have a sizerange of 2.255-2.240 inches. Pro-rack 24 a, FIGS. 3 and 6, includes proflat frame 32 having pro outer periphery 34 and pro interior opening 36.Pro interior opening 36 defines pro interior periphery 38 of generallyequilateral triangular shape. Pro interior periphery 38 has three prointerior sides 39. Pro interior opening 36 has twelve pro segmentedcircular portions 40 to hold fifteen billiard balls 22 in intimatecontact. Each pro segmented circular portion 40 has a pro segmentdiameter less than the diameter of each billiard ball 22 so thatpro-rack 24 a rests upon and aligns the balls from the top. Nominallythe pro-segment diameter is 2.0 inches with all diameters the same. Prosegmented circular portion 40 generally have a more complete circulararc in each of the three pro interior angles 42, while the pro segmentedcircular portion along the sides have a less complete arc of a circle.

Additional embodiments include pro interior periphery 38 having straightsegments 44 between pro segmented circular portions 40. Pro outerperiphery may be substantially triangular or some other shape. Pro-rackmay be a transparent pro-rack to allow for easy visual inspection ofballs 22.

System 20 of FIGS. 3 and 5 comprises billiard ball gauge 26 thatincludes pro opening 28 and recreational opening 30, the pro opening issized with a circular diameter of 2.240+/−0.002 inches and therecreational opening is sized with a circular diameter of 2.220+/−0.002inches. Billiard ball gauge 26 can be used to separate billiard ballsinto a first grouping that meets pro standards (tight tolerances) andsecond grouping that meets recreational standards (not so tighttolerances). Billiard ball gauge 26 is imparted with indicia to clearlyidentify pro opening 28 and recreational opening 30 so that the userknows which opening is which. Without the indicia, the two openings lookvery similar to the naked eye. Indicia might be identification of therack name to be used with balls 22 measured by that opening, they mightbe the size of the opening or some other indicating indicia.

System 20 of FIGS. 3 and 7 comprises recreational-rack 24 b that canaccommodate billiard balls 22 that have variations of 2.255-2.220inches. Recreational-rack 24 b includes recreational frame 46 havingrecreational outer periphery 48 and recreational interior opening 50.Outer recreational outer periphery is preferred to be triangular, butcould be other shapes such as circular. Recreational opening 50 definesrecreational interior periphery 52 of generally triangular shape withthree recreational interior sides 54 coming together to form threerecreational interior angles 56. Recreational interior periphery 52 hasone recreational segmented circular portion 58 in each of the threerecreational interior angles 56. Two of the recreational interior sides54 are reduced length sides 54 a having a length less than the lastremaining side 54 b. Last remaining side 54 b has three additionalrecreational segmented circular portions 58 so that recreational-rack 24b as a whole can hold fifteen billiard balls 22 in intimate contact witheach recreational segmented circular portion 58. The recreationalsegment diameters are less than the diameter of each billiard ball sothat the recreational-rack rests upon and aligns the balls from the top.

The two reduced length sides 54 a are generally 0.020-inches less thanlast remaining side 54. The two reduced length sides 54 a are alsostraight. The straightness of reduced length sides 54 a allows balls 22of more varied diameter to easily move along these sides to accommodatethe variation of the ball diameters. If all balls 22 are smaller, lastremaining side 54 b will actually drop lower on the balls to move theballs tighter together towards the opposite interior angle 56 therebymaking all of the balls contact each other.

Turning to a second detailed embodiment, FIG. 4 shows system 20comprising pro-rack 24 a, recreational-rack 24 b′ and billiard ballgauge 26. In this embodiment, pro-rack 24 a and billiard ball gauge 26are the same as those elements described in FIG. 3 above. Recreationrack 24 b′ now has the same structural features as pro-rack 24 a but thethree pro interior sides 39 have shorter lengths. The interior sides arenow nominally 0.100-inches shorter to accommodate a recreational set ofbilliard balls that nominally have diameters that are each 0.020-inchessmaller. Because this version of recreational-rack 24 b′ looks almostidentical to the eye as pro-rack 24 a, this recreational-rack is givensome type of indicia to make it easily identifiable by the player.Another way of identifying this rack as the recreational-rack 24 b′ isto make this rack a different color than pro-rack 24 a. When using rack24 b′ for a grouping of smaller diameter balls, it is important that thegrouping not have balls that deviate by more than +/−0.005 inches. Ifthe grouping of smaller balls has greater than 0.005-inches betweenballs then the recreational-rack 24 b with straight sides should be usedto accommodate the larger distribution of ball diameters.

Turning to FIG. 8, this figure flowcharts how the various elements ofsystem 20, TopRack™ system, are integrated. System 20 involves providingbilliard ball gauge 26, pro-rack 24 a and recreational-rack 24 b.Billiard balls 22 are first dropped through billiard ball gauge 26. Ifballs 22 do not fall through pro opening 28 the balls are consideredpro-sized balls and can be used with TopRack™ Pro. If balls 22 fallthrough pro opening 28, but not through recreational opening 30, theballs are considered recreational-sized balls and can be used withTopRack™ Recreational. TopRack™ Recreational can be eitherrecreational-rack 24 b or a reduced sized pro-rack 24 b′. If balls 22fall through recreational opening 30, one should consider using newballs.

Turning to FIGS. 9 a-e, these figures illustrates the use of pro-rack 24a with billiard balls 22 on table 60. Balls 22 randomly sit on table 60,FIG. 9 a. Balls 22 are then collected against table edge/end rail 62 ina generally equilateral triangle grouping, FIG. 9 b. Pro-rack 24 a isplaced upon the grouping of balls. Pro-rack 24 is pressed downward overthe balls and the grouping of balls pushed against table end rail 62 toset all balls in close contact within the pro-rack, FIG. 9 c. Next theplayer checks for spaces between contact points of balls 22, if spacesare found, the player rotates the balls or cleans the balls and table.Unlike conventional racks, it is easier to adjust or clean individualbilliard balls 22. With conventional racks, most adjustments toindividual balls must be done after the rack is removed which requiresre-racking and creates more wear on the table and foot spot. Rack 24 canbe left in place over foot spot 64 or moved to another location on table60 without removing balls 22. Adjustments, repairs or cleaning ofbilliard table 60 or balls 22 can be made without in most casesdisturbing the rack. If these adjustments do disturb balls 22 withinrack 24—lifting the rack and dropping the rack back will easily correctthe problem. Pro-rack 24 a with balls 22 in close contact are now movedaway from table end rail 62 so that the lead ball is located on top offoot spot 64, FIG. 9 d. Pro-rack 24 a is then gently lifted upwardsleaving all balls 22 in close contact and ready for play, FIG. 9 d.

Turning to a third detailed embodiment, FIG. 10 shows system 20comprising a 9-ball rack 24 c including a 9-ball frame 72 with 9-ballouter periphery 74 and 9-ball interior opening 76. The 9-ball interioropening defines a 9-ball interior periphery 78 of generally diamondshape. 9-ball periphery 78 has four 9-ball interior angles 79, two thatare 60-degrees 79 a and two that are 120-degrees 79 b. The 9-ballinterior periphery 78 has eight 9-ball segmented circular portions 80 tohold nine billiard balls 22 in intimate contact. The 9-ball segmentedcircular portions 80 have a 9-ball diameter less than the diameter ofeach billiard ball 22 so that 9-ball rack 24 c rests upon and aligns theball from the top. 9-ball outer periphery 74 may be generally diamondshaped or some other shape. In one embodiment, 9-ball rack has a clearframe.

While several embodiments of the invention, together with modificationsthereof, have been described in detail herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, it will be evident that various furthermodifications are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention. Nothing in the above specification is intended to limit theinvention more narrowly than the appended claims. The examples given areintended only to be illustrative rather than exclusive.

What is claimed is: 1) A system for racking billiard balls of a givendiameter on a playing surface, comprising: a pro-rack including a proflat frame having a pro outer periphery and a pro interior opening, saidpro interior opening defining a pro interior periphery of generallyequilateral triangular shape, said pro interior periphery having twelvepro segmented circular portions to hold fifteen billiard balls inintimate contact, each pro segmented circular portion having a prosegment diameter less than the diameter of each billiard ball. 2) Asystem as recited in claim 1, wherein said pro interior periphery hasstraight segments between said pro segmented circular portions. 3) Asystem as recited in claim 1, wherein all pro segment diameters are thesame, wherein all pro segment diameters are 2.0-inches. 4) A system asrecited in claim 1, wherein said pro outer periphery is substantiallytriangular. 5) A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pro-rack isa transparent pro-rack. 6) A system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a billiard ball gauge including a pro opening and arecreational opening. 7) A system as recited in claim 6, wherein saidpro opening sized with a circular diameter of 2.240+/−0.002 inches andsaid recreational opening sized with a circular diameter of2.220+/−0.002 inches. 8) A system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a recreational-rack sized to accommodate smaller diameterbilliard balls. 9) A system as recited in claim 8, wherein saidrecreational-rack is a different color than said pro-rack. 10) A systemas recited in claim 8, wherein said recreational-rack is imparted withvisual indicia to identify it as different from said pro-rack. 11) Asystem as recited in claim 8, wherein said recreational-rack includes arecreational flat frame having a recreational outer periphery and arecreational interior opening, said recreational interior openingdefining a recreational interior periphery of generally triangular shapewith three recreational interior sides coming together to form threerecreational interior angles, said recreational interior peripheryhaving one recreational segmented circular portions in each of saidthree recreational interior angles, wherein two of said recreationalinterior sides are reduced length sides having a length less than thelast remaining side, wherein said last remaining side has threeadditional recreational segmented circular portions so that therecreational-rack as a whole can hold fifteen billiard balls in intimatecontact with each recreational segmented circular portion, and whereinall recreational segment diameters are less than the diameter of thebilliard balls. 12) A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said tworeduced length sides are 0.020-inches less than said last remainingside. 13) A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said two reducedlength sides are straight to allow easy movement of balls along saidreduced length sides. 14) A system for racking billiard balls of a givendiameter on a playing surface, comprising: a recreational-rack includinga recreational flat frame having a recreational outer periphery and arecreational interior opening, said recreational interior openingdefining a recreational interior periphery of generally triangular shapewith three recreational interior sides coming together to form threerecreational interior angles, said recreational interior peripheryhaving one recreational segmented circular portions in each of saidthree recreational interior angles, wherein two of said recreationalinterior sides are reduced length sides having a length less than thelast remaining side, wherein said last remaining side has threeadditional recreational segmented circular portions so that therecreation as a whole can hold fifteen billiard balls in intimatecontact with each recreational segmented circular portion, and whereinall recreational segment diameters are less than the diameter of thebilliard balls. 15) A system as recited in claim 14, wherein said tworeduced length sides are 0.020-inches less than said last remainingside. 16) A system as recited in claim 14, wherein said two reducedlength sides are straight to allow easy movement of balls along saidreduced length sides. 17) A system as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising a billiard ball gauge including a pro opening and arecreational opening. 18) A system as recited in claim 14, furthercomprising a pro-rack sized to accommodate larger diameter billiardballs. 19) A system for racking billiard balls of a given diameter on aplaying surface, comprising: a 9-ball rack including a 9-ball flat framehaving a 9-ball outer periphery and a 9-ball interior opening, said9-ball interior opening defining a 9-ball interior periphery ofgenerally diamond shape, said 9-ball interior periphery having eight9-ball segmented circular portions to hold nine billiard balls inintimate contact, each 9-ball circular segmented portion having a 9-ballsegment diameter less than the diameter of each billiard ball.